Integral face shield

ABSTRACT

An integral face shield formed from a single sheet of material. The face shield can have a clear portion adapted to shield a face of a user, a first adjusting strip, a second adjusting strip, and at least one slot disposed upon the second adjusting strip adapted to receive the first adjusting strip. The face shield can be manufactured flat for storage and shipping. The user can also flatten the shield for storage after use.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to an integral face shield.

BACKGROUND

The usage of personal protective equipment has become more important for health and wellbeing of the general population. Outbreaks of new, and potentially deadly diseases have created a need for tools and implements to reduce or contain the spread of infection.

Pathogens that are spread via airborne means, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the like have been shown to be significantly less infectious when the population utilizes face masks and face shields.

Many masks and/or shields currently utilized are deficient in several ways: they contain inherent weak points where means for attachment to a user are connected to them, they are bulky and unwieldy, they are costly to implement, are composed of multiple components, or they are difficult to store and/or ship.

The present disclosure provides an integral facemask which addresses the above deficiencies, as well as being formed as a single, integral piece allowing it to be flattened for storage and transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the integral face shield.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of one embodiment of the integral face shield as implemented by a user.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of an adjustment strip.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the integral face shield as used with eyeglasses.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the face shield to be stored and transported flat in a folder.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specifics of particular embodiments as described and that it can be practiced, constructed, or carried out in various ways.

While embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the disclosure. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting.

Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis of the claims and as a representative basis for teaching persons having ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present embodiments. Many variations and modifications of embodiments disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.”

The word “about”, when referring to values, means plus or minus 5% of the stated number.

The use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, and the like.

When methods are disclosed or discussed, the order of the steps is not intended to be limiting, but merely exemplary unless otherwise stated.

Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description herein, but is only limited by the claims which follow, encompassing all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is hereby incorporated into the specification as an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an addition to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The inclusion or discussion of a reference is not an admission that it is prior art to the present disclosure, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent they provide background knowledge; or exemplary, procedural, or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.

The embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an integral face shield.

The integral face shield can have a clear portion adapted to shield a face of a user, a first adjusting strip, a second adjusting strip, and at least one slot disposed upon the second adjusting strip adapted to receive the first adjusting strip.

The first adjusting strip and the second adjusting strip can be integrally formed with the clear portion. This is novel in that existing face shields and masks typically utilize separate pieces connected to the face shield portion. By combining the adjusting strips and clear (face shield) portion, significant cost savings can be achieved in both manufacture and assembly of the integral face shield.

The clear portion adapted to shield the face of a user can be of any shape to effectively cover the nose and mouth of the user. Typically, the clear portion shall be positioned proximately in front of the user's face. The clear portion can have rounded corners to prevent cuts, scratches, and reduce the cost of manufacture. The adjusting strips can be tightened around the head to hold the integral face shield in place. Items such as logos, advertisements, slogans, and the like can be printed or otherwise secured to the face shield outside the field of view of a user. In embodiments, various colors or tints can be added to the face shield as desired by persons having ordinary skill in the art. For example, a dark tint can be added for outside use.

Various materials can be utilized to make the face shield. Clear plastics are preferred due to cost, weight, and availability. However, any see-through material can be utilized by persons having ordinary skill in the art. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to: polyamides (PA or nylons), polycarbonates (PC), Polyesters (PES), polyethylenes such as high density polyethylenes (HDPE) or polyethylene terephthalates (PET), polypropylenes (PP), polystyrenes (PS), polyurethanes (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Phenolics or phenol formaldehyde (PF), Melamine formaldehyde (MF), and the like.

Recycled forms of the above materials can be utilized to reduce the manufacturing carbon footprint and make the integral face shield more environmentally friendly. In embodiments, the clear portion and adjusting strips can be formed from a single sheet of plastic approximately the size of a sheet of paper. This would allow for the face shield to be flattened and stored in a file folder, file cabinet, drawer, and the like.

In embodiments, the integral face can have a first slot adapted to receive the first adjusting strip and/or a second slot adapted to receive the second adjusting strip. These slots can hold the adjusting strips in place when connected to a user's head and reduce the likelihood of the adjusting strips loosening or disconnecting from each other.

In embodiments, the face shield can have an eyeglass slot adapted to receive a temple of an eyeglass frame. This can serve to not only allow for eyeglasses to be worn by the user, but also to properly position and secure the face shield for users wearing eyeglasses.

In embodiments, the first adjusting strip is at least partially attached to the second adjusting strip and/or the clear portion in a detachable fashion, such as a perforation allowing for the adjusting strips to be separated from the clear portion and/or each other. The second adjusting strip can be similarly attached to the clear portion in a detachable fashion.

In embodiments, the clear portion, the first adjusting strip, and the second adjusting strip comprise polyethylene terephthalate or a copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate. Recycled forms of these materials can be utilized to make the face shield more environmentally friendly.

Turning now to the Figures, FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the integral face shield.

Shown here is face shield 100 having a clear portion 101, a first adjusting strip 110 and second adjusting strip 120. Face shield 100 can be formed from a single piece of plastic. In embodiments, the face shield can be roughly of the same dimensions as a sheet of paper. This would allow for the face shield to be easily stored in file folders or file cabinets, as well as compactly packed and shipped in bulk. Face shield 100 can also be designed with rounded corners 105 to minimize weight, material, and risk of injury to the user.

The adjusting strips 110, 120 can be pre-cut or attached at specific points 150. The points 150 can serve to hold the shape of the face shield 100 when shipped.

A first slot 130 can be disposed upon the face shield 100 to receive first adjusting strip 110. Similarly, a second slot 140 can be disposed upon the face shield 100 to receive second adjusting strip 120. The slots 130, 140 can serve to position the adjusting strips 110, 120 respectively and provide friction in such a manner to prevent the adjusting strips 110, 120 from pulling apart from each other.

Second adjusting strip 120 can have one or more sizing slits 160 to receive first adjusting strip 110. Various means of connecting adjusting strips 110, 120 can be utilized as known to persons having ordinary skill in the art. In embodiments, first adjusting strip 110 can have a protrusion for frictionally locking with second adjusting strip 120. In other embodiments, first adjusting trip 110 can be passed though one sizing slit 160 and folded back. Alternatively, first adjusting trip 110 can be passed through multiple sizing slits 160 in various orientations.

Face shield 100 can also have eyeglass slits 170 to receive the temples of a user's eyeglasses. This would serve to further properly position face shield 100, as well as prevent the eyeglasses from pushing the face shield forward away from a user's face.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of one embodiment of the integral face shield as implemented by a user.

Shown here is face shield 100 attached to a user 200. Clear portion 101 is positioned in front of the user's face. Adjusting strips 110, 120 are connected by sliding first adjusting strip 110 through sizing slit 160 disposed upon second adjusting strip 120. Various sizing slits 160 can be disposed upon second adjusting strip 120 to account for various head sizes. By sliding second adjusting strip 120 through second slot 140, stress and strain on the second adjusting strip 120 is minimized, thereby minimizing the possibility of the adjusting strips 110, 120 becoming detached from one another.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of an adjustment strip.

In this embodiment, first adjusting strip 110 has protrusions 300 disposed upon it to help secure it to second adjusting strip 120. Any known protrusions or features can be added to adjusting strips 110, 120 as known to persons having ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the integral face shield as used with eyeglasses.

Temples of the eyeglasses 400 are passed through eyeglass slits 170 to help secure face shield 100 and properly position clear portion 101 in front of a user's face.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the face shield 100 as stored in a folder 500.

In this embodiment, the face shield is shown flat, which can be stored and/or transported in a folder.

While the present disclosure emphasizes the presented embodiments and Figures, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure might be embodied other than as specifically enabled herein 

What is claimed is:
 1. An integral face shield comprising: a. a clear portion adapted to shield a face of a user; b. a first adjusting strip; c. a second adjusting strip; and d. at least one slot disposed upon the second adjusting strip adapted to receive the first adjusting strip; and wherein, the first adjusting strip and the second adjusting strip are integrally formed with the clear portion.
 2. The integral face shield of claim 1, further comprising a first slot adapted to receive the first adjusting strip.
 3. The integral face shield of claim 1, further comprising a second slot adapted to receive the second adjusting strip.
 4. The integral face shield of claim 1, further comprising a first slot adapted to receive the first adjusting strip and a second slot adapted to receive the second adjusting strip.
 5. The integral face shield of claim 1, further comprising an eyeglass slot adapted to receive a temple of an eyeglass frame.
 6. The integral face shield of claim 1, wherein the first adjusting strip is at least partially attached to the second adjusting strip in a detachable fashion.
 7. The integral face shield of claim 1, wherein the second adjusting strip is at least partially attached to the clear portion in a detachable fashion.
 8. The integral face shield of claim 1, wherein the clear portion has a rounded corner.
 9. The integral face shield of claim 1, wherein the clear portion, the first adjusting strip, and the second adjusting strip comprise polyethylene terephthalate or a copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate.
 10. The integral face shield of claim 1, comprising polyamides (PA or nylons), polycarbonates (PC), Polyesters (PES), polyethylenes such as high density polyethylenes (HDPE) or polyethylene terephthalates (PET), polypropylenes (PP), polystyrenes (PS), polyurethanes (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Phenolics or phenol formaldehyde (PF), or Melamine formaldehyde (MF).
 11. An integral face shield comprising: a. a first adjusting strip; b. a second adjusting strip detachably connected to the first adjusting strip; c. a clear portion adapted to shield a face of a user detachably connected to the second adjusting strip; and d. a plurality of slots disposed upon the second adjusting strip, each slot of the plurality of slots adapted to receive at least a portion of the first adjusting strip; and wherein, the first adjusting strip and the second adjusting strip are integrally formed with the clear portion.
 12. The integral face shield of claim 11, further comprising a first slot adapted to receive the first adjusting strip.
 13. The integral face shield of claim 11, further comprising a second slot adapted to receive the second adjusting strip.
 14. The integral face shield of claim 11, further comprising an eyeglass slot adapted to receive a temple of an eyeglass frame.
 15. An integral face shield formed from a single sheet of plastic comprising: a. a first adjusting strip; b. a second adjusting strip detachably connected to the first adjusting strip; c. a clear portion adapted to shield a face of a user detachably connected to the second adjusting strip; and d. a plurality of slots disposed upon the second adjusting strip, each slot of the plurality of slots adapted to receive at least a portion of the first adjusting strip; and wherein, the first adjusting strip and the second adjusting strip are integrally formed with the clear portion.
 16. The integral face shield of claim 15, wherein the single sheet of plastic comprises: polyamides (PA or nylons), polycarbonates (PC), Polyesters (PES), polyethylenes such as high density polyethylenes (HDPE) or polyethylene terephthalates (PET), polypropylenes (PP), polystyrenes (PS), polyurethanes (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Phenolics or phenol formaldehyde (PF), or Melamine formaldehyde (MF). 